This happened in Jackson, Mississippi, and we've talked about some of Mississippi's racial problems before. This happening continues to happen, though, since fallout from the event is all over these articles and stories, I have yet to read a detail that's not immensely disturbing. The truck that was used as a murder weapon? Returned to Dedmon's family after "processing." Really? Because we wouldn't want them inconvenienced like the Anderson family, who has to do without their family member? Forever?

And who are the witnesses to this attack, who have said that they saw Dedmon's Ford jump the curb and instantly end the life of James Anderson? Why didn't they act? What did they see, exactly, and when did they get there? Too many passive observers in our society. I don't know if they could have stopped this thing at just a savage and unprovoked beating, but I can't help but wonder. You know, it says they tried. How hard did they fucking try? One of these people was a security guard, another has "Dr." in front of his name. Really? Did you guys heroically step up and witness the whole thing? Way to go - let's have a Hooray for Community.

This whole thing is shameful. The city of Jackson and the state of Mississippi, the country we live in and all of us as people should be shamed by this. The only acceptable punishment for these two young demons is to make them know the fear and violence that they brought into the life of James Anderson before they snuffed him out. Failing that, examples should be made of both of them so that the stance we take as a society does not equivocate. You kill someone like this, you go away, your life is gone. Your family's loss mirrors that of the victim's family.

Anger, rage, disgust, sorrow. My heart goes out to the family of James Craig Anderson.

UPDATE ADDED 8/14: I was actually emailed the below press release from the Cochran Law Firm (representing the Anderson family) in Mississippi last night, and thought I would make the PDF available here. The family of Mr. Anderson is starting a foundation with aim of promoting racial tolerance, and have asked that any money that might have been directed to the family be directed instead to the Foundation.

This happened in Jackson, Mississippi, and we've talked about some of Mississippi's racial problems before. This happening continues to happen, though, since fallout from the event is all over these articles and stories, I have yet to read a detail that's not immensely disturbing. The truck that was used as a murder weapon? Returned to Dedmon's family after "processing." Really? Because we wouldn't want them inconvenienced like the Anderson family, who has to do without their family member? Forever?

And who are the witnesses to this attack, who have said that they saw Dedmon's Ford jump the curb and instantly end the life of James Anderson? Why didn't they act? What did they see, exactly, and when did they get there? Too many passive observers in our society. I don't know if they could have stopped this thing at just a savage and unprovoked beating, but I can't help but wonder. You know, it says they tried. How hard did they fucking try? One of these people was a security guard, another has "Dr." in front of his name. Really? Did you guys heroically step up and witness the whole thing? Way to go - let's have a Hooray for Community.

This whole thing is shameful. The city of Jackson and the state of Mississippi, the country we live in and all of us as people should be shamed by this. The only acceptable punishment for these two young demons is to make them know the fear and violence that they brought into the life of James Anderson before they snuffed him out. Failing that, examples should be made of both of them so that the stance we take as a society does not equivocate. You kill someone like this, you go away, your life is gone. Your family's loss mirrors that of the victim's family.

Anger, rage, disgust, sorrow. My heart goes out to the family of James Craig Anderson.

UPDATE ADDED 8/14: I was actually emailed the below press release from the Cochran Law Firm (representing the Anderson family) in Mississippi last night, and thought I would make the PDF available here. The family of Mr. Anderson is starting a foundation with aim of promoting racial tolerance, and have asked that any money that might have been directed to the family be directed instead to the Foundation.